M-1’s RETURNS TO THE U.S. FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011, AIRS LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM THE CONSTANT CENTER, NORFOLK, VA.
Norfolk, VA (March 24, 2011) – All fights are green lit for M-1 Challenge: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa featuring two M-1 GLOBAL title fights. The bouts will air LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, March 25 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Artiom Damkovsky is prepared to make his inaugural title defense of his M-1 Challenge Lightweight (155 lbs.) championship against Jose ‘The Peoples Champ’ Figueroa, while Tyson ‘The Anti Hero’ Jeffries faces Magomed ‘The White Wolf’ Sultanakhmedov for the vacant M-1 Challenge Middleweight (185 lbs.) belt from Constant Center in Norfolk, Va.
Mauro Ranallo will call the action from ringside with Pat Miletich serving as analyst. The telecast will be produced by Chuck McKean and directed by Craig Farrell. The executive producer of SHOWTIME Sports is David Dinkins, Jr.
For information on SHOWTIME Sports programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://www.sho.com/sports.
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Making his debut under the umbrella of Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion, Billy ‘Mojo’ Horne (8-2) is set to overcome underdog status in his middleweight (185 Lbs) bout against Jason Norwood (10-2) on one of North Americas premiere broadcast networks. M-1 Global’s debut event on SHOWTIME can be seen LIVE on Friday, March 25 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
At 6’1” and walking around at a hearty 210lbs, the 33 year old Cincinnati, Ohio native sports a stout 8-2 record since making his debut as a professional fighter in 2007 and is known for his submission victories which include a quad of suffocating rear-naked chokes and a neck-wrenching guillotine. Making this prospect even more versatile is a heavy right-hand that he effectively uses as a precursor to unleashing a ground offensive and deadly kicks which he’ll need to land strategically in order to prevent Norwood from shooting in successfully.
Fighting out of the Cincinnati Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Horne holds notable wins over Lucas Lopes, Josh Haynes and a pair of ‘W’s on Fernando Rivera. Riding the momentum from winning back to back fights, Horne was quick to seize the opportunity to fight Norwood on a week’s notice and is intent on utilizing every ounce of athleticism and heart to continue climbing the ranks.
Horne’s history in MMA includes ten years of training with former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich ‘Ace’ Franklin before he became a household name in the sport; his training partner’s success brought along unintentional absences from the gym which required Mojo to make a change in camps in order to continue developing as a fighter.
Often considered the fighter to strike first, Horne is not one to play it safe on the canvas and favours tactical offensives to create the opportunities to secure advantageous positions. Preferring to keep his average take-home income per round on the higher side by refusing to let the judges decide his fate, expect Horne to try and finish this fight early. With good striking in addition to his submission arsenal, Horne poses a considerable threat to Norwood in a battle few expect to go the distance.
M-1 Challenge: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa airs LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, March 25 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
For information on SHOWTIME Sports programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com
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Capt. Jason Norwood is a prime example that Army combatives training is highly effective; not only in fighting but most importantly as a means to prepare for battle and come home victorious – and alive. Fans can catch Norwood exchange the desert for the ring as he battles Mojo Horne in a middleweight (185 Lbs) contest at M-1 Challenge: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, March 25 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
A native of Voorhees, New Jersey, 26 year old Jason Norwood equates fighting as the culmination of his life. Starting training in martial arts at only six years old, Norwood put his foundations to work in wrestling at age 13; he wrestled at West Point and was preparing to compete in the Olympics when he was deployed to Iraq by the U.S. Army. Having served his country overseas and currently a Captain and the Officer in Charge of the Modern Army Combatives hand-to-hand combat program where he is stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Norwood says the military brings a similar feel to MMA, the main difference being that in the Army you either go home standing or you go home "in a bag".
Boasting a 10-2 record that had his ten fight winning streak snapped in his last outing against the formidable Josh Bryant, Norwood’s list of notable victories include a unanimous decision nod over Herbert Goodman, a submission win over Wayne Cole and suffocating rear-naked-chokes over Jon Kirk and Joey Gorczynski. Norwood has spent time training at American Top Team Oklahoma and Matt Hughes’ H.I.T. squad but calls the Fort Still Combative Center his home, where he has been steadily improving as a professional mixed martial artist well versed in executing his trademark ‘RNC’.
Discussing Mojo Horne as his opponent come March 25th, Norwood wasn’t overly concerned; "He doesn't bring as much to the table as I do." Norwood plain and simple plans to close the distance, get good position and finish the fight. He says that in the military they train “not to tap but to stay alive, to prepare for the probable outcome, the deadliest outcome...” Entering the confines of the M-1 ring doesn’t even begin to compare to what he’s faced defending his country. In an interview last summer, Norwood depicts his Army career as a mixed martial arts fight with a lot of unexpected moves where he has needed to react accordingly and ultimately to his advantage. Going from working with Paladins to radars and now working in the fight house he sets the stage in his mind before he enters the ring as if he is deployed, clearing buildings, with his life on the line.
Norwood has all the tools to impose his dominating fighting style on Horne and cap off his SHOWTIME debut with his 11th victory; nothing in a gym can replicate the life or death training and mindset the military creates; no opponent change can throw a military man who is prepared for anything.
The only potential threat is the massive 35 pounds that Norwood needs to shed in order to meet the 185-pound weight threshold. Walking around near the 220-pound mark on a daily basis, the cut could render him weaker in the latter frames and present a considerable test on his endurance.
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Lightweight Title Contention on the Line for Magalhaes
Decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, Vinny ‘Pezao’ Magalhaes (6-5) walks into his bout against undefeated Jake Doerr (6-0) at M-1 Challenge: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa riding a momentous wave and a win puts him in light heavyweight title contention. Fans can capture the submission specialist in action LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, March 25 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
With back-to-back wins and victorious in four of his last five outings it seems the three time BJJ world champion has a re-invented himself as a mixed martial artist and looking to achieve superstar status in the sport. Magalhaes’ impressive inverted triangle submission victory over Alihan Magomedov, earned him a six-fight contract with Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion and the battle with Doerr marks the slick submission specialist’s first trip into the ring under the new 2-year deal.
A recognizable figure to the North American fan base from his time spent on The Ultimate Fighter, the world-class BJJ expert has been evolving his skills in Wrestling, Muay Thai and Boxing at the TapouT Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada to become a more versatile fighter with a devastating arsenal. Looking for an opportunity to showcase his re-vamped stand-up game, Magalhaes will likely test the waters with his opponent; should trouble ensue, Magalhaes will hit the canvas without hesitation and look to introduce Doerr to a whole new joint-jacking and tendon-tearing world of hurt.
Ready to continue making his impact felt within the 205-pound division and secure a future corner under the championship spotlights, Magalhaes is primed to make the most of his opportunity on one of the United States’ most prestigious, premium television networks, Showtime; a win places him atop the LHW food chain and directly into title contention.
Undefeated MMA prospect Jake Doerr will look to impede Magalhaes’ path to the belt by stunning the crowd in the toughest test in his career.
Doerr has yet to require the judges’ services to decide an outcome; in fact he’s finished every one of his opponents inside the first round utilizing his well-rounded and aggressive fighting style. Facing Magalhaes, it’s clear he’ll have no advantage should the bout hit the canvass; this prospect’s best chances for victory come standing up. With the edge in striking abilities, Doerr possess one-punch knock-out power and is effective working in his opponent’s guard where he can throw down a relentless ground and pound.
Having not seen action in 13 months, Doerr best shake off any ‘ring rust’ quickly and work a game plan that leverages his edge in striking, whether it be standing up or on the mat with a furious G&P. If he can stun Magalhaes from his feet and engage a lightning quick barrage, Doerr could shock the critics who have classed him as the significant underdog and walk away with his undefeated record intact.
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Rising Prospect Faces Alexander ‘The Tiger’ Sarnavskiy on Showtime
Seizing the opportunity to jump to the main card after Josh Bacallao was forced to withdraw due to an injury, Beau ‘Blackjack’ Baker now finds himself kicking off M-1 Global’s debut event on Showtime against a much tougher opponent, undefeated, top-ranked European prospect Alexander ‘The Tiger’ Sarnavskiy. Fans can catch the battle between these two rising stars LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, March 25 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
A well-sized lightweight standing 5'9", Baker has had good success fighting up a division but prefers to leverage his natural advantages as a 155’er. A former division-one collegiate wrestler from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Baker made his successful professional MMA debut in 2007 and quickly went on a tear to win four in a row, three by way of crafty submissions; favouring to venture to the mat versus standing up, the 31 year old freestyle fighter out of the MMA Institute in Harrisonburg, Virginia now boasts a respectful 8-3 as a pro with notable wins over Ran Weathers and Ron Foster.
Baker began wrestling at the age of 10 and went on to become a two-time state high school champion. It wasn't until he and his younger brother Kyle, who is also a professional fighter, watched Bas Rutten’s collection of instructional DVDs that he learned many of the skills he would use throughout his fighting career. The two started in the basement where Baker went on to develop his self-trained abilities. After only three months of diligent ‘basement training’, ‘Blackjack’ took his first amateur fight and after a year on that circuit he made the decision to go pro. Four years later he and his brother have a 6000 square foot gym with over 50 members and managed to win over 75% of the 100+ fights their athletes have competed in.
Having great respect for Russian fighters, especially Fedor Emelianenko, Baker feels the Europeans ‘bring a unique stand-up element to MMA... a different technique in how they throw hooks, turn their hands over and loop their punches in addition to melding the different styles together.” Respecting Sarnavskiy’s striking and kicks and knowing he is good on the ground, Baker’s methodical and tactical aggressive style can be leveraged as an advantage over his opponent’s wild exchanges. Baker’s wrestling and scrambling ability could prove to be a big asset if he uses this to take Sarnavskiy down, use a relentless ground and pound to subdue his undefeated opponent and set up a submission or TKO victory.
Known for his lethal grappling ability, fast hands and iron chin, Baker has faced high calibre competition throughout his career; although he hasn’t won all his fights against recognizable names, he continues to build his experience and he’s ready to peak against Sarnavskiy.
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